Winston Peters said he would be suspended from the post while the country's Serious Fraud Office investigates finances of his New Zealand First Party.

Winston Peters said he would be suspended from the post while the country's Serious Fraud Office investigates finances of his New Zealand First Party. He also is battling claims that he failed to declare to Parliament a private 100,000 New Zealand dollar (US$70,000) donation from a billionaire. Prime Minister Helen Clark said she would temporarily take over as foreign minister.
Clark said she hoped the inquiry ``will address these matters expeditiously,'' noting that Peters had offered ``his total cooperation'' in the investigation, with a first meeting with investigators scheduled for Saturday. Clark said it was ``appropriate'' that he stand aside while the fraud inquiry was held. Since taking office in late 1999, Clark has sacked, suspended or forced the resignations of 11 other ministers. Five redeemed themselves and later returned to Cabinet _ though only three regained their seniority. Serious Fraud Office Director Grant Liddell said Thursday the investigation would focus on allegations that two donations to Peter's New Zealand First Party were not used for their intended purposes.
Peters denied all claims of wrongdoing and said earlier Friday that he would not be hounded from office because there was no evidence against him. ``I'll dispose of the Serious Fraud Office in exactly the time it takes them to understand the information,'' he told a meeting of senior citizens, adding that he would forward any necessary evidence ``in the shortest possible time.''
A separate investigation by Parliament's Privileges Committee is checking whether Peters broke parliamentary rules by failing to declare the 100,000 New Zealand dollar (US$70,000) donation by a New Zealand national living in Monaco, called for a fresh hearing on the issue for next Thursday. Peters' lawyer, Brian Henry, said Peters knew nothing of the 2006 donation until he told Peters of it last month.
His New Zealand First Party is a key support party for Clark's Labour-led coalition government. Elections are due in New Zealand by mid-November